Title 30Mineral Lands and MiningRelease 119-73

§866 Trailing cables

Title 30 › Chapter CHAPTER 22— - MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - INTERIM MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS FOR UNDERGROUND COAL MINES › § 866

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Make trailing cables in coal mines meet the flame-resistant rules set by the Secretary. Each ungrounded conductor must have short‑circuit protection with an automatic circuit breaker or another device the Secretary approves that can interrupt the needed current. Power disconnects for trailing cables must be clearly marked and show by sight that power is off. If two or more trailing cables join the same distribution center, there must be a way to stop a cable being put on the wrong‑size breaker. Clamp and protect cables on machines and from mobile equipment. Do not connect or disconnect cable joints while they are carrying power. Only one temporary splice is allowed per trailing cable, and that cable may be used only for the next twenty‑four hour period. Temporary splices must not be within twenty‑five feet of the machine, except on cable reel equipment, and they must be well made, strong, and insulated. Do not use cables with exposed wires or splices that heat or spark under load. Permanent splices must be strong, conduct and bend well, be sealed to keep out moisture, and be treated so they are flame‑resistant and bond to the outer jacket. Splice — joining cut conductors.

Full Legal Text

Title 30, §866

Mineral Lands and Mining — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Trailing cables used in coal mines shall meet the requirements established by the Secretary for flame-resistant cables.
(b)Short-circuit protection for trailing cables shall be provided by an automatic circuit breaker or other no less effective device approved by the Secretary of adequate current-interrupting capacity in each ungrounded conductor. Disconnecting devices used to disconnect power from trailing cables shall be plainly marked and identified and such devices shall be equipped or designed in such a manner that it can be determined by visual observation that the power is disconnected.
(c)When two or more trailing cables junction to the same distribution center, means shall be provided to assure against connecting a trailing cable to the wrong size circuit breaker.
(d)One temporary splice may be made in any trailing cable. Such trailing cable may only be used for the next twenty-four hour period. No temporary splice shall be made in a trailing cable within twenty-five feet of the machine, except cable reel equipment. Temporary splices in trailing cables shall be made in a workmanlike manner and shall be mechanically strong and well insulated. Trailing cables or hand cables which have exposed wires or which have splices that heat or spark under load shall not be used. As used in this subsection, the term “splice” means the mechanical joining of one or more conductors that have been severed.
(e)When permanent splices in trailing cables are made, they shall be—
(1)mechanically strong with adequate electrical conductivity and flexibility;
(2)effectively insulated and sealed so as to exclude moisture; and
(3)vulcanized or otherwise treated with suitable materials to provide flame-resistant qualities and good bonding to the outer jacket.
(f)Trailing cables shall be clamped to machines in a manner to protect the cables from damage and to prevent strain on the electrical connections. Trailing cables shall be adequately protected to prevent damage by mobile equipment.
(g)Trailing cable and power cable connections to junction boxes shall not be made or broken under load.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section operative 90 days after Dec. 30, 1969, except to the extent an earlier date is specifically provided for in Pub. L. 91–173, see section 509 of Pub. L. 91–173, set out as a note under section 801 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

30 U.S.C. § 866

Title 30Mineral Lands and Mining

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73